Chandragiri

Chandragiri is a small town near Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, south India. Recently it was included under Municipal Corporation limits of Tirupati. Major Colleges and institutions, National MST Radar Facility, Heritage Industries and some Resorts that cater to Tirupati bound piligrims are located in Chandragiri. It is also the southern entrance for the Temple city for vehicles going from Bangalore, Kerala and Tamil Nadu..

Chandragiri is famous for the historical fort, built in the 11th century, and the Raja Mahal within it, built by the rulers of the Vijayanagara empire. After their defeat at the hands of the sultans of the Deccan in 1565, the Aravidu Dynasty of Vijaynagar shifted their capital from Hampi to Chandragiri and ruled till mid 17th century. Koneti Naidu, ruler of Chandragiri belonging to Balija caste was the great-grandson of Kanaka Naidu , who was made the king of Penukonda by the Vijayanagar Raya.Koneti Naidu belonged to Vasarasi family and he ruled for about fourteen years.

The site of the fort is protected and developed as a tourist location by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation. Tourist attractions at the fort include a sound and light show which recounts the history of the fort. This 'must see' Sound and Light show ( 0ne of the fews in India ) is performed every evening after sunset in the local language (Telugu) and English. Tourists can also enjoy boating in a lake right next to hill slopes and a stroll through mango tree-lined pathways. The beautiful Raja Mahal Palace is now an archeological museum and is a memorable window into the historical legend of Chandragiri.